Joonas Kokkonen’s The Last Temptations Marks Its 50th Anniversary at Olavinlinna
Finnish opera, once a niche art form and internationally hidden gem, has flourished over the past 172 years and gained momentum in the international opera scene. Beginning with Fredrik Pacius’ Kung Karls Jakt in 1852, it has evolved into a genre that embodies Finland’s unique artistic voice. To honor this remarkable journey, the Savonlinna Opera Festival, in collaboration with Tampere Hall, will present a milestone production of Joonas Kokkonen’s The Last Temptations in the summer of 2025 – 50 years after its premiere. Under the direction of Mikko Kouki, this anniversary performance breathes new life into Kokkonen’s timeless masterpiece on the iconic stage of Olavinlinna Castle.
Finnish Opera’s Rich Legacy
“Unlike opera traditions in Italy and Germany, which span over 400 years, Finnish opera began to take root in the mid-1800s during a period of Russian rule,” explains Savonlinna Opera Festival’s Artistic Director Ville Matvejeff. “By the mid-20th century, Finnish composers such as Aulis Sallinen and Joonas Kokkonenintroduced modernist influences, elevating national appreciation for the genre. Kokkonen’s The Last Temptations, which premiered in 1975, has since become one of the most frequently performed Finnish operas.”
From the 1980s onward, Finnish opera composers such as Kaija Saariaho and Einojuhani Rautavaara gained international acclaim. Their works have been staged at prestigious venues like the Metropolitan Opera, Budapest, and Salzburg Festival. While Rautavaara’s Kaivos and Saariaho’s Innocence (most recently at Semperoper Dresden) and L’Amour de Loin embrace avant-garde elements, Kokkonen and Sallinen’s operas remain deeply connected to Finnish national identity, heritage, and folk music traditions.
The Last Temptations – A Landmark Anniversary Performance
At the Savonlinna Opera Festival 2025, Mikko Kouki’s innovative direction brings fresh perspective to Kokkonen’s The Last Temptations and has received stellar critics after the premiere of the production on March 5th in Tampere, with Itä-Savo newspaper looking forward to this summer, “One can only imagine the impact of this visually and musically high quality work, which reflects on the big questions of life, in Olavinlinna Castle.”
“The dreamlike quality of the opera, as Paavo Ruotsalainen reflects on his life from his deathbed, is deeply moving and ignites the imagination,” says Kouki. “Our production honors the legacy of The Last Temptations with a dynamic and, at times, playful interpretation.”
Leading the cast is internationally acclaimed opera star Mika Kares, alongside celebrated actress Laura Malmivaara. Rising talents Silja Aalto and Johan Krogius will also bring their artistry to the production, delving into Ruotsalainen’s haunting existential question: After all he has endured, will he find his peace?
A Historic Collaboration Between Tampere and Savonlinna
“The Last Temptations is a true masterpiece of Finnish opera, one that has inspired generations of composers since its premiere. Above all, the opera is a drama about a man, who has made huge sacrifices for his vision. How Kokkonen describes this with his distinctive musical language is deeply moving,” says Ville Matvejeff, who conducts the opera. “I am especially delighted that this production represents a historic collaboration between Tampere and Savonlinna – a partnership that brings even greater significance to this anniversary performance.”
For media inquiries, interviews, and press accreditation, please contact:
Konstanze Kaas
konstanze.kaas@operafestival.fi
Myy Honkanen
myy.honkanen@gmail.com
